Sakhi Saheli – promoting gender equity and empowering young women: a training manual

How to promote equity and the empowerment of women in sexual and reproductive health

Women’s heightened vulnerability to HIV is influenced by some of the major inequalities between women and men in various aspects of living. This manual aims to promote critical reflection on the social construction of gender that promotes inequality and women’s vulnerabilities, and to create support for challenging these norms so as to enhance women’s adoption of risk reduction practices. [adapted from author]

The manual is aimed at peer educators, community and health educators, teachers and/or other professionals working, with young women aged 16 to 24 years. Its main sections look at:

gender and identity
sexuality, reproductive health and rights
violence
motherhood and care giving
preventing and living with HIV/AIDS.

Each section includes a series of educational activities based on participatory methods including role plays, games and interactive activities aimed at engaging young women in discussion, debate and critical thinking.

In addition, four comic books in Hindi have been included that were developed and used in the Yaari Dosti program (see related links) aimed at changing young men’s gender-related attitudes and promoting safe behaviours.

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Sakhi Saheli – promoting gender equity and empowering young women: a training manual